University Policies

Page tree

Versions Compared

Old Version 3

changes.mady.by.user Rowan, James J.

Saved on

compared with

New Version 4

changes.mady.by.user Rowan, James J.

Saved on

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.

ROWAN UNIVERSITY POLICY 
 

 

Title: Satisfactory Academic Progress for Rowan University Undergraduate and Graduate Students 
Subject: Student Financial Aid
Policy No: SEM: 2017:02 
Applies: Office of Student Financial Aid, Glassboro Campus programs
Issuing Authority: President
Responsible Officer: Senior Vice President, Student Enrollment Management
Adopted: 06/01/2016
Last Revision: 04/02/2016
Last Reviewed: 01/25/2017

...

  1. There are three distinct dimensions to the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards:
    1. Maintaining the minimum required GPA; and
    2. Attaining a completion rate that ensures the student completes their degree program within 150% of the published length of the program, measured in credit hours; and
    3. Completing the degree requirements within an established timeframe.
     
  2. The student must meet all three standards in order to remain eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
     
  3. Cumulative Grade Point Average
    1. Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0, which is consistent with the institution's requirements for graduation. Grades of: W, WP, WF, INC, NC, NR, or P, are not calculated in the GPA.
    2. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0.
     
  4. Completion Rate (Pace)
    1. In addition to maintaining a GPA that meets the University minimum requirement, students are expected to earn cumulatively University credit for at least 67% of the classes in which they enroll. The pace of progress toward the degree will be measured by the following calculation:
    Cumulative EARNED CreditsCumulative ATTEMPTED Credits
    1.   
                                                       Cumulative EARNED                                      =Earned Percentage
                                               CreditsCumulative ATTEMPTED Credits        
    2. Courses with a grade of F, W, WP, WF, NC, INC, are counted in the cumulative attempted credit calculation. All attempted credits count toward this limit, even if the student did not receive financial aid or have extenuating reasons for not completing the credits. Credit hours from another institution that are accepted toward the student's educational program must count as both attempted and completed hours.
     
  5. Maximum Time Frame
    1. Satisfactory Academic Progress also establishes a maximum time frame in which students must complete their program of study in order to remain eligible to receive financial aid. This requirement limits the number of credit hours students may attempt before earning their degree.
    2. The maximum time frame for degree completion at Rowan is 150% of the program's published length of academic program. All attempted credits count toward this limit, even if the student did not receive financial aid or had extenuating reasons for not completing the credits. All courses attempted are included in the calculation, even if the student changed majors while pursuing the degree. Transferred credits are included in the maximum timeframe.

    3. The chart below provides the maximum number of credits a student may attempt for each degree type. The maximum is 150% of the required credits for degree completion.
        
       

      Degree

      Average Credits Needed to Complete Degree

      Maximum Credits Attempted

      Bachelor

      120

      180

      Master

      36

      54

      Doctoral

      72

      108* includes Master degree coursework


       
       

  6. Withdrawals, Repeats, Incompletes, Remedial Coursework:
  7. Withdrawal from courses (W, WP, or WF): credits remain in the total number of attempted hours but are not added to the earned credits. The GPA is not affected by these grades.
  8. Basic skills, remedial coursework, pass/fail courses (IN, NC, P): These courses will be counted when determining the number of credits attempted. When a passing grade is received, the grade will be added to the number of credits earned. NA (no attendance) means that the student has not attended the class. Credits do not figure in the GPA calculation, they are considered attempted but not completed.
  9. IN (incomplete): Incomplete courses are counted as attempted but not completed. When a passing grade is received, the grade will be added to the number of credits earned.
  10. Repeated Courses: These courses are counted each time the course is taken and will be included in the total number of attempted hours. When a course is completed and a grade is assigned, the credits are added to the total number of earned credits hours.
  11.  Transfer credits: Transfer credits will be added to the Rowan University attempted credits and also added to the Rowan University earned and used in the calculation of the student's completion rate or pace.
  12. Transfer credits are also counted toward the "timeframe" requirement. Transfer credits are not included in the GPA calculation.
  13.  SAP Evaluation Process
  14. A student's academic progress is evaluated at the end of each payment period (semester). At the time of each evaluation, a student who has not achieved the required GPA, or who is not successfully completing his or her educational program at the required pace, is notified of their SAP Status.
  15. If the student was previously meeting the SAP standards, and at the current evaluation point, fails either the GPA or Pace measurement, Rowan Financial Aid Office places the student on financial aid warning. A student on financial aid warning may continue to receive assistance for one payment period despite a determination that the student is not making satisfactory academic progress. Financial aid warning status may be assigned without an appeal or other action by the student.
  16. If at the next evaluation point, the student has not remediated their SAP standing, so that they fail either the GPA or Pace requirement, the student is placed in Financial Aid Suspension status. A student on financial aid suspension may not continue to receive assistance until the student either successfully appeals or improves their GPA and/or Pace so that they pass the SAP evaluation at the next evaluation point. In addition, students who exceed the maximum timeframe measure are immediately placed on financial aid suspension – without a period of financial aid warning.
  17. Students placed on financial aid suspension may appeal their status. Students who successfully appeal their SAP suspension status will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. A student on financial aid probation may receive financial aid, including title IV, HEA program funds, for one payment period. While a student is on financial aid probation, the institution may require the student to fulfill specific terms and conditions such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses. At the end of one payment period on financial aid probation, the student must meet the institution's satisfactory academic progress standards or meet the requirements of the academic plan developed by the institution and the student to qualify for further financial aid, including title IV, HEA program funds.
  18. Appeals
  19. Students who are placed on Financial Aid Suspension may reestablish his or her eligibility to receive financial aid, including assistance under the title IV, HEA programs. Students may file an appeal based upon the death of a relative or roommate, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances.
  20. Students who wish to appeal their Financial Aid Suspension status must complete the SAP Appeal Form with a personal statement and supporting documentation; meet with their academic advisor and complete the Academic Advising SAP Improvement Plan. The personal statement must include information regarding why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed in the student's situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. Students who fail to submit timely the documentation necessary to complete the appeal process may forfeit his or her financial aid (both federal and state).
  21. Notifications
  22. SAP Evaluation Status
  23. Students are notified whenever the result of an SAP evaluation impacts the student's eligibility for financial aid, including title IV, HEA program funds. A notification of Financial Aid Suspension is mailed to the student's home address. In addition, the SAPAPL requirement is placed on the tracking screen. This outstanding requirement will trigger email notifications and prevent the student from receiving financial aid.
  24. If the student submits an appeal, and that appeal is approved, the student will be notified of the outcome and financial aid processing will resume. Students will also be notified of appeal denials.
  25. Notifications of appeal denial will describe how the student may reestablish his or her eligibility to receive financial aid, including assistance under the title IV, HEA programs.